Emily Simonian
| Emily Simonian | |
|---|---|
 Em_headshot_april_2025.jpg Simonian in 2025 | |
| Born | Emily Kay Simonian Burbank, California, U.S. |
| 🏫 Education | Berklee College of Music, Musicians Institute |
| 💼 Occupation | Songwriter, composer, lyricist, librettist, recording artist, author |
| 📆 Years active | 2008–present |
| Known for | When Two of Us Meet |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Jake Sotiriadis |
Emily Kay Simonian is an American songwriter, composer, lyricist, librettist, recording artist, and author.[1] She is known for her work in contemporary pop music and musical theatre, particularly as the creator of When Two of Us Meet, an Armenian-American musical inspired by immigrant family history.[2]
Early life and education
Simonian was born in Burbank, California, and later moved with her family to Orange County.[3]
She attended Berklee College of Music on a merit scholarship and later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Contemporary Music from Musicians Institute in Los Angeles.[4]
She subsequently completed a master's degree in psychology and became the author of The Essential Family Therapy Workbook (2022).[5]
Career
Music
Simonian began her music career as a singer-songwriter and recording artist, performing under the stage name EMMY.[6]
She later expanded her work into songwriting, composition, and musical theatre development. In 2025, she was selected for the Women in Music Mentorship Program and was mentored by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Wendy Parr.[7]
Musical theatre
Simonian is the creator, composer, lyricist, and librettist of When Two of Us Meet, a musical inspired by the Armenian-American immigrant experience.[8]
The project received the Laurel Karabian Fund for the Arts Grant from the Armenian International Women's Association in 2024.[9]
The musical later received developmental presentations and concert readings in New York City.[10]
When Two of Us Meet was recognized as:
- Top 12 Finalist – Florida Festival of New Musicals (2025)[11]
- Top 10 Finalist – Colorado New Musical Project (2025)[12]
- Semifinalist – National Music Theater Conference (NMTC) (2026)[13]
Writing and media appearances
Simonian is the author of The Essential Family Therapy Workbook: Exercises to Improve Communication, Resolve Conflict, and Build Connection.[14]
She has been featured or quoted in media outlets discussing music, creativity, psychology, and mental health, including Insider, TIME, Healthline, and other publications.[15]
Awards and honors
- Laurel Karabian Fund for the Arts Grant (2024)
- Women in Music Mentorship Program (2025)
- Florida Festival of New Musicals Finalist (2025)
- Colorado New Musical Project Finalist (2025)
Professional memberships
- ASCAP
- Dramatists Guild
- Maestra Music
- Women in Music
- Musical Writers Academy
Bibliography
- The Essential Family Therapy Workbook (2022)
External links
- Official website
- Official Spotify profile
- Official YouTube channel
- Maestra Music profile
References
- ↑ "Emily Simonian Profile". Maestra Music. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- ↑ "Meet Emily Simonian, Creator of the Armenian-American Musical When Two of Us Meet". The Armenian Weekly. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- ↑ "Meet Emily Simonian". Bold Journey. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- ↑ "About Emily Simonian". EmilySimonianMusic.com. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- ↑ Simonian, Emily (2022). The Essential Family Therapy Workbook. Routledge. ISBN 9780367335773 Check
|isbn=value: checksum (help). Search this book on
- ↑ "Q&A: Emily Simonian". Best New Bands. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- ↑ "Emily Simonian Biography". EmilySimonianMusic.com. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- ↑ "Meet Emily Simonian, Creator of the Armenian-American Musical When Two of Us Meet". The Armenian Weekly. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- ↑ "Emily Simonian Named As 2024 Grant Recipient With The Armenian International Women's Association". BroadwayWorld. 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- ↑ "WHEN TWO OF US MEET to be Presented at The Green Room 42". BroadwayWorld. 2025-01-30. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- ↑ "WHEN TWO OF US MEET to be Presented at The Green Room 42". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- ↑ "WHEN TWO OF US MEET to be Presented at The Green Room 42". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- ↑ "When Two of Us Meet Official Website". Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- ↑ Simonian, Emily (2022). The Essential Family Therapy Workbook. Routledge. ISBN 9780367335773 Check
|isbn=value: checksum (help). Search this book on
- ↑ "All Too Well: The Psychology Behind Taylor Swift's Impact". Insider. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
